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The oral tradition has been with us longer than the written tradition has and yet, in this time the written tradition rules. I don't understand this. One of the advantages of the current computer technology which will allow for a more balanced way to reintroduce the oral tradition is a program like Powerpoint. Have the students use a Powerpoint like program to prepare their oral presentation. "Speechifying" has become a lost art and now we can revitalize it. Oral presentations are crucial in authentic assessment and the presentations of webfolios. The oral presentation can be an organized way the scholar can present hir work. in the Powerpoint like program, the program provides a rough outline of what will be said as reminders to the presenter and keys for the listener. In addition, links to the work mentioned can be made. Speakers very often use Powerpoint like programs for their own use when speaking to large audiences. There is an art to this and we have the opportunity and perhaps the duty to teach this art. And because of the advances in technology we can. The above link to Powerpoint, provides ways in which this can be done. The way i am now using this program is to have students make a simple presentation which serves as a table of contents about their work. the first slide introduces themselves. the next slides are slides which introduce each of their subject classes with very brief descriptions. These descriptions can be lists of words, phrases, clauses that provide a brief idea of what is to be expected. They serve as prompts for the scholar in the presentation to further elaborate in further oral discussion and description. They further serve as links to the work mentioned so the reader can click and see the work. During a presentation, audience members with computers can go and read for themselves or view later. This makes the process both synchronous and asynchronous and therefore makes assessment more authentic. Finally the whole presentation can be published on the web. With the advance of technology video and audio clips can be added as well for the asynchronous presentation. The possibilities are endless and assessment therefore more authentic and universal. The Powerpoint link above provides some ideas, but so do these links too.
If you can't find anything right away, check in your grammar book. Many have a chapter or two on oral communications. Also, check with your local textbook supplier. Often you can get a sample copy to peruse so you can decide which one to order for your classes. In the meantime, try to the following: Opening day: Arrange students in a circle and ask them prepare a short (1 minute) 5 W's and H speech about themselves. Give each one a 4x6 index card (or 1/2 sheet of paper) They can stand behind their desks and present the speech to the rest of the group. It's important to get them on their feet right away in as comfortable a setting as possible. A circle seems to provide the safety and the desk something to hang onto. This activity give everyone an opportunity to learn about the rest of the class and to know what kind of speeches may interest them. 5 W's and H
Who you are? Name, family. Generally, a basic speech course includes the following:
Informative Speech Finally, plan to have the last speech given before a guest audience. I usually have students invite their families to an evening of speech. Students practice phone skills by exchanging home phone numbers - each one calls another's family to invite them to the evening. This will let you know whom to expect. I generally have this in a small, intimate space. Often the library will work well. Never a large, impersonal space. Not even the auditorium works well. This is a dress up occasion where the students in the class present a 3-5 minute speech (depending on the size of your class). Usually have one student as MC to welcome the audience, briefly explain the course and introduce the speakers. Conclude the evening with light refresh- ments - something wet and something dry. Pretty table helps. This final is ALWAYS a hit!!!. Students always make YOU look GOOD!!!! You may want to invite other faculty and administrators. They usually are impressed with the progress the students make.
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